Saturday 27 August 2016

Nine And A Half Lives




Fourteen years ago, this little cutie looked more like the bruiser below......


Don't believe me....? leave a comment at the bottom of the page, there are plenty of people reading this blog who will enlighten you, and if their vision has faded with the years their olfactory memory wont fail them.  when he entered my flat via the fire escape the stink announced him !!!   green slime hung like kudzu from his tail and the ears had edges reminiscent of a Scandinavian coastline.

He wasn't a cutie by character either, more a collection of violent neuroses with fangs.  a bemused veterinary student asked why i kept caring in the face of repeated attacks.  the response bubbled up unsought.... "i can see the cat he could become if given the chance."   throughout my life i had used up a host of chances so how to refuse this scrap of rejected fluff.   my scratched legs would heal.
And they did..... though the scars remain. his many wounds, both physical and emotional, took much longer.  it was easy to forgive his random onslaughts by remembering the abuse he experienced as a street kitten, as  the root of aggression is often fuelled by fear.   as the years passed he mellowed..... mostly, though it's still wise to treat the teeth and talons with a measure of respect and NEVER TOUCH THE BODY.
Vets warned me "he wont make old bones after such a poor start." malnutrition had caused blackouts that could potentially lead to brain damage.  calcium depletion would weaken bone.  mineral and vitamin insufficiency would leave vital organs prone to early failure.   he might be a beast but not for very long.

Fourteen years later !!!   .....   his nine and a half lives have been used up and he's dying..

The old kidneys are packing in.  he's tired and at times depressed.   the medication is helping keep symptoms under control but it's only buying some time so pesky emotions can catch up with rational thought before it's time to let him go.

Friends ask if i'll have another furry.... oh yes, life would feel rather empty without one.   the plan is to foster.   look after the companions of those who are unable to fulfil  that responsibility for whatever reason.   perhaps older cats who need a quiet place to end their days or short term care when a fur-baby's human is in hospital or on holiday.

The furry creature has given me so much pleasure and entertainment over two decades it seems churlish not to share the love.


18 comments:

sue said...

So sad to read this but also some glad he found you. One very fortunate cat to stumble into the life of one who cares and loves.
Thinking of you both at this sad time. Sending love and loads of hugs xxxx

anne wadey said...

Oh Jeni Paul so very sorry and sniffling as I write this. So glad I did those photos a little while ago. Grumpy at times but also utterly gorgeous. Quite right he got cross if one didn't give him one's full attention after such a dreadful start in life. Very much love xx

dan said...

I remember Widget, and when Squeak arrived and Widget coudn't live with her you urged me to adopt her. You said she was "probably male and probably neutered". You were wrong on both counts, and in not very long she gave us 4 kittens. We handed on three to good homes and kept the cleverest and most sociable - Bubble. Bubble and Squeak did not get on and so Squeak in her independent way left to keep an old lady up the street company, where she was known as Peaunut. We worried about how Bubble would take to a move of location, having been born in Doxford Gardens but it turns out she was more attached to us than the house. She is now an elderly lady with aching hips and a strong social streak, who is great with strangers and visitors alike and we have made each other happy. She is still the only cat I have ever known to come when called, but she only does it for me. Look what you did, this is all your fault. Thank you.

val said...

So sad to hear this Jeni, he was a very lucky cat to find you, be brave my friend, I know you will...BIG HUGS to you and all my love xx

lesley said...

Sweet love.......xxxxxxxxx

diane said...

Gentle hugs.xx

sue said...

He will always be remembered as that bundle of fluff that came down view stairs to greet me.
His life started badly until he found you to be his friend, you did well by him by giving him so much love xx

val said...

Not every cat is lucky enough to find such a beautiful caring human xx

jeni said...

wish those we love didn't have to leave without us

val said...

I know but we just have to believe they will all be there waiting for us when our time comes. xx

dianne said...

So sorry , he was so beautiful Jeni, feel your pain..hugs x

jo dube said...

Sorry for your loss, Jeni. Losing a family member is hard, even a feline one.

stewart anderson said...

So sorry to hear this Jeni. Pets are special.

jeni said...

ahhh stewart you are so sweet. he's been with me since The Ocracy.... that's a lot of changes in my life he witnessed

debbie said...

sending lots of love.

kim said...

Aah so sorry. It's so hard, this losing of pets!!! People who don't have them don't understand how sad it is! Weirdly the night before last I had a dream I was visiting a cafe and dozens of kittens kept falling through the ceiling. I have no explanation! x

dan said...

Sorry to hear of your loss, I feel some of your pain. I'll pray for good grieving and sufficient sleep for you. Have a virtual hug

brokenbutstillstanding62 said...

Thank you to all of you who phoned, texted, Facebooked, commented, visited, carded, hugged and all other manner of kindnesses. you know who you are. your love has helped ease the sadness.